The destitute conditions in the poorest parts of Africa are often shown in television documentaries and in magazines and books. Wouldn’t it be great to be able to help the underprivileged in Africa, particularly school children? The time is right and it is happening in Friendswood.
         Sarah Sokora, an avid bookworm and senior at FHS, is leading a book drive to benefit Books for Africa, a non-profit organization that sends much needed textbooks and other literature to schools and libraries that have few or no books at all.
         In some classes, 20 children share one textbook and those dreaming of going to law or medical school do not have sufficient reading materials to make those dreams come true.
         “Books create new worlds for us to discover, expose us to new ideas, and enrich our lives. I want to share my passion for literature with those who, until now, did not have the opportunity to read,” Sokora said.
         The book drive, entitled A Novel Idea, will be Oct. 18-22, with donation boxes placed in all FISD schools and the Friendswood Public Library.
         On Oct. 23, USA Weekend-sponsored Make a Difference Day, the book drive will culminate at the Friendswood Public Library from 10 am-2 pm. Sarah and a group of volunteers will be outside the library collecting more books and advertising the drive.
         The books collected during the event, along with hundreds of textbooks from the old Friendswood Junior High, will benefit Books for Africa.
         For further information, send emails to sarahs2149@yahoo.com.